Military way of thinking

Although I finished my military service more than 20 years ago, you must forgive me if I still maintain my military way of thinking in seeking solutions. In the case of maintaining security in our country and creating a conducive atmosphere, I still think that the only way to achieve this is to give law its proper place. Surprisingly, those in favor of reform consider law enforcement as their most important demand. Even foreign countries are keeping their aid on hold until law and order, and security prevails in Indonesia, so that all people, Indonesian and foreigners alike, can perform their duties without any feeling of fear and uncertainty.

In the Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, edition of this newspaper, I read "Haggling stalls Cabinet making," "Cabinet delay frustrates market", while Kompas for the same day reported that the market was disappointed with the delay in announcing a cabinet.

When a military commander organizes a meeting, he listens to various ideas and proposals put forward by his staff members. It is indeed the duty of staff members to put forward their opinions backed by sound reasoning. What the staff members propose are not always the same and the commander has the duty of making a decision, and being held responsible for making it, based on what he heard from his staff. Once the commander makes his decision, the only thing the unit can do is to execute the commander's decision with a full sense of responsibility and loyalty, and to the best its ability.

Coming back to this Cabinet, the President has the prerogative of picking the Cabinet and, after all, only the President is responsible to the people through the People's Consultative Assembly. We also have to accept the fact it is not possible to satisfy all sides.

So the President, like a military commander, should make the decision, and as soon as possible start working. High hopes are being pinned on the new government, and the people who have suffered for so long have the right to expect a tranquil and prosperous country.

Politicians should be aware that only the President, not the politicians, will be asked by the Assembly to account for what she has done for the people. The politicians should act like the staff members of a military unit and propose their opinions, but leave the decisions entirely to the mandate holder. Once the President makes a decision, everybody should honestly and wholeheartedly support her.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta